LABUAN: The president of Labuan Malaysia Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMM Labuan), Datuk Yussof Mohammad said that the chamber has never sacked any of its members unless they break its constitution, which will result in their automatic disqualification as members.
In his speech before the chamber’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Labuan Corporation Tower, he expressed his gratitude that DPMM Labuan was finally able to hold its AGM after some legal issues against the chamber at court were settled.
“We could not carry out our AGM before as our former committee member summoned the chamber in court,” he said, adding that the chamber had never summoned any of its members before.
Yussof, who did not mention the former committee member’s name, explained that any DPMM member who brought legal action against the chamber in court will find his membership disqualified automatically.
“We uphold the constitution within the chamber, where we should discuss any rift among us for our best interest before proceeding the matter to court,” he said.
Yussof disclosed that DPMM Labuan had to bear a huge cost due to the legal case at court.
“Some of our committee members contributed in paying for the legal costs as they want to see DPMM Labuan continue to play its role.
“I hope all these problems will settle soon, as we need to focus ahead on our main agenda to unite all the members to ensure DPMM Labuan is continuously relevant in its struggles for the members,” he said.
Earlier, Yussof who is also one of the board of directors of the National Farmer Association (Nafas), had announced that he intended to hand over his position to his successor in DPMM Labuan.
However, due to the insistence from members of the chamber, he had to postpone his decision.
“This might be my last term to lead DPMM Labuan as I need to focus on my duty in Nafas after this. While, I am still in DPMM Labuan and in Nafas, I will ensure both of them fulfill the country’s aspiration.
“This year, Nafas has allocated some RM10 million to Labuan for poultry farming to supply the products for Labuan Halal Hub,” he said, adding that he hoped members would take the opportunity to get involved in the Labuan Halal Hub industry.
Before ending his speech, he said that the committee members of the chamber had mapped out their plans to empower the Malay Bumiputera entrepreneurs here.
Meanwhile, Labuan member of Parliament, Datuk Rozman Isli who was present to officiate the AGM said that Yussof’s leadership was still much needed in DPMM Labuan at the moment to face the challenge of uniting its members.
“DPMM Labuan is the platform for Malay entrepreneurs here. We now see many Malays involved in the business sector in Labuan.
“Some of the members have shown their capabilities after going through ups and downs in their entrepreneurship.
“This is proof of the contribution made by the chamber to help the government to empower Malay entrepreneurs here,” he said.
Rozman, who is also Labuan Corporation chairman, said that before he got involved in politics, he had gained much of his experience in DPMM Labuan as well as other non governmental bodies later.
“I can say that I am a product of DPMM Labuan. I want to congratulate him (Yussof) for being responsible in bringing the chamber to Labuan as he had contributed a lot to the members.
“Thank God, we have been blessed with unity and I do hope the total members of DPMM Labuan will continue to rise after this especially among the graduates intending to get involved in business,” he said.
Rozman also said that some help and attention were needed for youths who had yet to be employed, but are interested to do businesses on their own.
“With their formal education background, I believe that their chances to succeed as entrepreneurs are there where in the end they will become the pride of Labuan.
“We do not want to see the Malays get left behind in the business sector, as the involvement in business will make our country more stable and peaceful due to the economic sharing among the citizens,” he said.
During the AGM, Datuk Yussof Mohammad was retained as the president of DPMM Labuan, while the new deputy president was Hjh. Fauziah Datuk Mohd. Din and the vice president post went to Bongsu Hj. Mohammad.
Also present at the AGM was the deputy president of Central DPMM, Dato’ Hj. Mohamad Alayuddin Che Hasan.